Click here to buy One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell

by: Candace Bushnell.

2008; 564 pages,

rating: 1

I was completely disgusted by "One Fifth Avenue". Ugh. Is that how women really are? So completely hell bent on status, clothes, having an obedient husband, and living in the right apartment?

If so, I don't want to be one.

The writing isn't even good. It's bland and mediocre. I didn't bond with any of the characters, and thought they were all vapid individuals, even the one who isn't supposed to be.

I debated many times in just putting the book down where I was and never touching it again. But, I was on an airplane and then a train, and needed something to do.

So I finished it.

I never want to see it again.

I picked it up on a book exchange shelf. But, I don't think it's worth carrying around until I find a place I can exchange it.

Click here to buyLife from Scratch by: Melissa Ford

by: Melissa Ford.

2010; 208 pages,

rating: 3

You know how after you finish a heavy book, and you want something lighthearted and fun to read?

That's why I picked this one up. I had just finished Shantaram, and needed something a bit on the lighter side.

Plus, it was free for my Kindle, and it was about cooking. Score!

The book itself is good enough. It was pretty predictable. I knew fairly early on how the whole book was going to play out.

I still enjoyed the book. In fact, a little predictability was nice here.

The story is about Rachel, who after her divorse starts a cooking blog. But, it's more of an how-to-fry-an-egg blog. What she finds out is that she really starts telling her story through a few notes on how to make toast.

She also starts dating again.

After Rachel wins a Bloscar (blogging award) for the best Diarist, her life takes a drastic change. She's offered a book deal, and she learns what she really needed to learn: how to speak up for herself.

Click here to buy Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

by: Gregory David Roberts.

2004; 944 pages,

rating: 4.5

A friend of mine recommended that I read Shantaram before going to India. She said that it would help me prepare for the differences there, at least a little bit.

She was right.

There are 5 parts to Roberts' novel / autobiography. I was completely engrossed in 4 of the 5.

There was one entire section though that had me wondering just how true this account is.

It's a very good book. Anyone going to India should definitely read it.

I laughed. I cried. And, I'm really glad that I could buy it for my kindle so I didn't have to lug around a 1000 page book.

There were parts that I had to read aloud to Jonathan because they were so funny. And I think I made more notes in this book than I have in any other since high school.

I am truly impressed with Roberts' writing style and ability.

Shantaram is about Roberts' life as a fugitive in India. After escaping from a prison in Australia, Roberts flees to India where he re-discovers love, life in the slums, and eventually works for the Bombay mafia.

Click here to buy Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by: James Patterson

by: James Patterson.

2003; 304 pages,

rating: 3

I've been a book trading fiend lately. And this one is no exception.

I've read books by James Patterson before. I'm always amazed at the difference in his writings between his suspense / murder mystery stories and ones like this one, romantic chic-lit.

Who knew that Patterson had a 30 year old woman living inside him?

Well he writes like one anyway.

In "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas", Katie finds a diary written by Suzanne for her son Nicholas. Katie learns that her boyfriend is Suzanne's husband.

Of course, Katie is devastated. But, she can't stop reading.

A story of love, loss, and learning is in your hands when reading this book.

To be honest, I found it predictable. It was nice, and enjoyable, but I knew what was coming the whole time I was reading it.
 

Click here to buy American Gods by Neil Gaiman

by: Neil Gaiman.

2001; 640 pages,

rating: 3

"American Gods" is the book I traded "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" for on another take-a-book shelf.

To be honest, the trade wasn't as good as the one before it.

The only reason I picked up "American Gods" is because it's by Neil Gaiman (author of Stardust and Coraline). I loved both of those.

So, I thought I'd give this one a try as well.

There are some very intriguing ideas behind the book. I really like the idea that all gods are brought to power because someone believes in them. And that they cease to exist when people stop believing.

As far as the story itself goes, I wasn't very impressed. But I did enjoy contemplating the themes behind the story.

What are your thoughts? I would love to discuss this book with someone who's read it.

Click here to buy My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

by: Jodi Picoult.

2004; 500 pages,

rating: 4

Last year, I watched the movie My Sister's Keeper. So, I read the book pretty much knowing what was going to happen all the way through.

But, it is still and endearing story.

Picoult's writing continues to amaze me.

I'm behind the boat on reading the book, and if you've seen the movie, there probably isn't any real reason for you to read the whole book.

But, you should read the last few chapters. They're different than the movie.

And, I have a hard time deciding which ending I like better.

Click here to buy The Potluck Club by: Linda Evans Shephard and Eva Marie Everson

by: Linda Evans Shephard and Eva Marie Everson.

2005; 384 pages,

rating: 1.5

I got this book for free on my Kindle.

That's the only reason I read it.

Why I finished it is anyone's guess.

The story of a group of catty women who meet once a month was about as interesting as watching music videos of Cambodia. (And I know. I've done that. For four hours. On a bus.)

The women are all shocked and dismayed that there's a young woman who became pregnant before she was married.

The whole town is embarrassed and wants little, if anything, to do with her. She's the niece of the founding member of the potluck club.

There's the town reporter who basically spies on the women of the club, calling it research.

Then there's the Texas transplant whose relationship isn't working out as great as she hoped, and here's a shocker - it's all because the two of the can't communicate.

Don't bother.

Click here to buy Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton

by: Laurell K. Hamilton.

2008; 416 pages,

rating: 3

Hamilton sure is milking the Meredith Gentry series isn't she?

But, it seems as if "Swallowing Darkness" is the last one.

Or so she lets you think. There's at least one more ("Divine Misdemeanors").

So, here's the story. I read the book.

I'll read the next one (because I already bought it).

But after that, Hamilton, I'm done.

Know when to end a good thing.

It's getting ridiculous now.

Click here to buy The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

by: Suzanne Collins.

2008; 384 pages,

rating: 5

Drop everything.

Right now.

Drop everything, and read "The Hunger Games".

But be careful. Because once you start, you won't stop until you're finished.

The Hunger Games is one of the best books I've read in years. I put up there with "The Book Thief" - which if you know me is a glowing recommendation.

Have you read "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson? (If not, you should.) It has a similar plot.

"The Hunger Games" is about a young woman who is selected to represent her distract in the national hunger games. 2 children (aged between 12 and 18) are selected from each of the 12 districts.

They are then put into an arena and forced to fight to the death.

That's all I'll say. Go read it.

Click here to buy A Lick of Frost by Laurell K. Hamilton

by: Laurell K. Hamilton.

2008; 384 pages,

rating: 3

I'm well into the Meredith Gentry series, as "A Lick of Frost" is book 7.

And to be honest, I'm a little embarrassed that I'm still reading it. But, I want to know how it ends.

I can't quite put my finger on exactly what it is that keeps bringing me back, but I do enjoy the books. They're a fun break from heavier reads.

In "A Lick of Frost", Merry finds out she's pregnant (finally), but there's a twist. Each of her twins has 3 biological fathers.

Weird.

One of the fathers, Frost, whom Merry's in love with, is willing to do everything it takes to put Merry on the throne.

Click here to buy Deception Point by The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R King

by: Laurie R. King.

1994; 448 pages,

Rating: 5

I picked this book up off one of those take-a-book, leave-a-book shelves. There was something in the title that spoke to me.

I glad I did. I made a good trade.

"The Beekeeper's Apprentice" is about a woman named Mary who is trained by Sherlock Holmes himself to become England's next greatest detective.

The two are involved in many adventures together.

I loved the blend of Sherlock Holmes into the story. He moved seamlessly in. The writing is fantastic, and the story is fun, engaging, and intriguing.

If you're at all a fan of mystery, or Sherlock Holmes (or both), then I highly recommend "The Beekeeper's Apprentice". It's fun, and fresh.

I hope my next book trade is as good as this one was. (The book I left on the shelf was "Reading Lolita in Tehran".)

Click here to buy Deception Point by Dan Brown

by: Dan Brown.

2003; 736 pages,

Rating: 5

Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock has heard of Dan Brown. And if you haven't heard of him, you've definitely heard of his "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons". But before there were those, there was "Deception Point".

"Deception Point" is the story of a meteorite found buried in the ice of a glacier. But not just any meteorite. One that contains proof of extra-terrestrial life.

Or does it?

You know the drill; it's the same with all Dan Brown books. And Deception Point doesn't disappoint.

This is my 4th book by Brown, and I like it better than "The Lost Symbol". I highly recommend you give it a read. But, make sure when you do, you can devote enough time to finish it. You won't want to put it down.

Click here to buyReading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

by: Azar Nafisi.

2003; 400 pages,

rating: 3

(non-fiction)

I'm not really one for non-fiction books generally speaking. I always think there is something to learn from them, I just don't enjoy them as much as I do a good fiction read.

And, that's the case, for me, with "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by: Azar Nafisi.

It's an amazingly enlightening book from a women's-rights-as-human-beings perspective, as well as a bit of an insight into what life might possibly have been like in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But, as far as enjoyment goes, it wasn't high up on the list for me.

I had a difficult time piecing together when things happened (as the book isn't linear, and dates are not always given).

I think for me, it was more of an academic book than I was expecting. I was thinking of something a little bit different, so it is my own fault. I let my expectations get in the way.

I did love this paragraph though, because it is so true (especially for me right now):

"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place...like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again."

Click here to buy The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

by: Stieg Larsson.

746 pages,

rating: 5.

By far the best in the series. For the first time in all three of "The Girl" books, I was completely riveted from start to finish.

I simply couldn't put it down.

It's always a good sign when a series gets better as it goes on. I am disappointed however, that there will be no more books from Larsson.

I highly recommend that you read "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". You will need to read "The Girl Who Played with Fire" first, but you don't necessarily have to read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".

I can't wait to watch the films now that I've read all the books.

Click here to buy Splendor by Anna Godbersen

by: Anna Godbersen.

2009; 416 pages,

rating: 4

Splendor is the fourth, and final, book in the Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. I have now read the whole series. All because the first one was once offered for free on Kindle.

Splendor takes a few expected, and a few unexpected turns as we follow the Holland girls on their quest for love.

I wasn't too fond of how the story ends. But to be honest, I'm glad it has a final conclusion.

The story got a bit carried away and too predictable. I stopped caring for the characters (actually this happened in Envy, which I can hardly remember).

I think that Godbersen stretched this out a bit far as far as series' go.

I'm not sorry I read it, mostly because now I know it's done, and because I was able to check this one out from the library.